How Effective Are Mentoring Programs for Youth? A Systematic Assessment of the Evidence

Whether it’s parents, teachers, coaches, or family friends, there’s no question that adults serve as powerful role models for youth as they transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. Mentoring programs across the United States have tried to harness the power of positive role models in the hopes that relationships with an adult mentor will help to support kids’ socioemotional and cognitive development. But are mentoring programs effective? And do all programs have equally positive effects?